Molding machine



N. RAPPEZ.

MOLDING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14. 1919.

:1 LI 1'" l i f I 5: f [i] i J5 .55

I v I I I I4 If Patented May 23; 1922..

NICOLAS 131111319133, OF HAINE-Ei'l. PIERRE, BEIJGIUIK.

IVTUIZJJING' ll/LAGHILNTE.

Application filed February 14, 1919.-

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that l, NICOLAS ltiirrnz, a subject of the King of Belgium, residing at Hallie St; lierre,in the Kingdom of'Belgium, have invented certain new and useful 1 improvements in Molding lllachines, (for which I have filed application in Germany, May 31, 1917; England, July 11, 1917; Belgium, Nov. 18, 1916; Austria, Nov. 16 1916; Hungary, Novflb, 1916; Norway, Nov. 16,

1916; Holland, Nov. b0, 1916; Denmark.

Nov. 25, 1916;Sweden, Dec. 9 1916; ltaly Dec. 15, 1916;"Luxe1nbrdg, cc. 5, 1916; Spain, Jan. 11,191? Russia, Feb. 15 and 28 1917, and Switzerland, Dec. 5, 1916,) 01 which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in molding machines of that class in which a ramming member presenting a plurality oi inandrels or pressure tools 1s driven by a pressure cylinder supported by a framework of a shape similar to the ordinary frame-works of power-hammers and acting on the same principle.

' Une object of my invention is to improve the construction oi molding machines of this class so as to allow the several parts 01 which the complete moulds are generally composed to be simultaneously moulded without changing implements; whether said parts are symmetrical or otherwise. A further object of my invention is to allow of simultaneously molding, without changing implements, several complete moulds in eluding different designs and to allow the ramming members being placed automatically and exactly in position. above the patterns and frames. And a further object also consists in securing special and improved means whereby the moulds can be inditl'erently subjected to the action of ramming members and ot levelling members without any dificulty andw'ithout necessity of moditying the arrangement of the tools according to the ramming or levelling operation which is to be effected.

With these objects in View my invention essentially consists in several arrangements and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention:

Fig. .1 is a sectional elevation of the ma machine on the line A-B of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view.

specification oi Letters Patent;

Patented ltlay $5, 1259/ 332. Serial No. amass.

by means of arms l cylinders 5, to the number oi eight in the example illustrated. In each of said cylinders there is adapted to move a piston 6 which can support at the lower end of its rod 7 by means of a sleeve 8, any ramming member of known system, for instance a plate provided with a plurality of pressure tools Stor a simple levelling plate 8 also of known kind. certain rods 7 supporting ramming members 8' and the other rods supporting levelling plates 8 li ach cylinder 5 is provided with an air valve 9 connected with a pipe 10 for con ducting air under pressinie and with an exhaust-valve 11 communicating by means oi a pipe 12 with a second exhaust-valve 13 constructed to prevent the entrance of tonn dry dust into the cylinders.

Each cylinder 5 is provided with a cover 14 through which passes a screw 15 which serves to regulate the stroke of the corresponding piston 6 and which is operated by gearings 16and 17,the latter of which is keyed on a rod 18 rotated by pinions 19 and 20 and a handwheel 21.

Each sleeve 8 is provided with a guide 22 forming a. ratchet which is automatically engaged by a pawl 23 so as to maintain the piston 6 in raised position and prevent it from falling when the operator is charging the castii'lg frames with sand. This pawl can be released from the ratchet by operating a lever 24: which serves also to operate the exhal 1st valve 11 and which is connectet to the pawl by a link 25.

The framework 1 also carries a series of operating tables 26 of a'number corresponding to that of the cylinders 5. These tables are arrangedin a circle round the central column 2 as shown in Fig. 2; and on the same are placed flasks 27 into which are carried up across the tables 26, the patterns fixed on a lifting piston 28, the ascending and descending movements of which are etfected by an eccentric 29 and actuating lever 30. Each operating table andthe flask 37 justing wedge 32 is used slidably mounted on the column 2 and engaging in notches in the central support. This adjusting wedge can be disengaged by means of a pedal 33 acting through a rod-system 84:, 37 into which is interposed a balance weight 35. Automatic operation is secured by an air cylinder 36 co-operating with the roc 37 and forcing the wedge 32 into the respective notch.

Under the action of the balance-weight 35 the rod 37 (Figs. 1 and is forced upwards and draws with it the valve 39 (Fig. by means of the rod 40; this valve uncovers a port 41 giving passage to the cylinder 43 to air under pressure admitted by the pipe 42 connected to a reservoir (not shown). Under the action of this compressed air the piston i l-is forced upwards, forcing the wedge 32 to the bottom of the notch-on the contrary, when the pedal 33 is operated the rod 37 descends to a certain extent owing to a certain play existing between the stud 4:55 and the socket 4L6 at the end of the rod 37 and this play is sufficient to uncover the port-4C7, connected with the atmosphere and to close the air admission port ll. The pis ton as then descends in the cylinder 43 and carries with it the wedge 32, which releases the central pivot and consequently the cylinder support and permits the rotation of the cylinders.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

The patterns carried up into the flask 27 being entirely covered with sand, the ramming members are raised by operating the levers 38 which control the air valves 9. These valves, .on rising, allow air under pres sure to enter the cylinders 5 below the pistons 6, which causes the latter to rise until their upper surfaces encounter the screw 15, thus limiting the stroke. The levers 2a of the ramming or levelling members to be operated are then brought into action, so as to open the corresponding exhaust valves 11 and disengage the pawls 23, which causes the fall of the pistons in question and consequently of the ramming or levelling members secured by the sleeves 8 to the piston rods 7. The movements of the cylinders are independent of each other and the ramming members can thus be made to act either successively or simultaneously on the sand contained in the various frames. The pistons are then raised by means of the air pressure and, after a second or third layer of sand has been placed in the frames, a second or third depression of the pistons is effected.

The ramming and levelling members can alternate, or be placed in other suitable order on the rods 7 so as to allow the action of one or other of these members in a given frame by an appropriate rotation of the pivot 3, the bringing of these members into the exact position required above the frames being ensured ach time by the action of the adjusting wedge 32.

When the molding operation is finished in a frame it is sutiicient to actuate the corresponding lever 2-30 in order to draw the pattern out of the mould, which enables the frame and mould formed to be removed.

It will be remarked that, owing to the plurality of operating tables, cooperating with a plurality of cylinders 5, capable of being brought with their ramming or levelling members exactly above the frames and patterns, a mould of from f to (3 or 8 pieces or several frames moulded at one time and independently of each other can be rammed and levelled at will. Each rod 7 being able to carry by means of its sleeve 8 a ramn'ling member corresponding to the pattern in question, (or further a levelling member or plate), the different parts of a complete mould, whether symmetrical or not, can be moulded at the same time without chain-5o of tools.

I am aware that machines for molding parts for casting are known in which there is employed a ramming member presenting a plurality of mandrcls or pressu re tools acting on the sand contained in a suitable frame and that in certain machines of this kind a thrust bearing plate formed of a series of adjustable rods cooperating with a pressure cylinder is mounted together with a sieve filled with sand, on arms adapted to revolve on a central column so that they can alternately present above the frame either the sieve containing the sand or the series of rods constituting the thrust bearing plate. I am also aware that in other machines of the same kind there is employed a levelling member or members mounted on the same supporting rod as the ramming member in such a manner that the levelling member and. the ramming member can be u... d alternately. But none of these machines allows of simultaneously mohling several (-ou'iplolo moulds nor of sin'iultauemisly using l he ram ming members and the levelling members in dil'l errmt moulds in the same operation.

ll hat I claim is:

1. in a molding machine. in cmnbinatiim a plurality of driving cylinders, a central column, a central pivot supported in said column, a support rotating on said central pivot, arms-projecting from said support and carrying the cylinders arranged in a. circle around the central pivot. a piston in each cylinder, means for controlling the stroke of each piston, a rod for each piston. ramming members supported by certain of these piston-rods, levelling members supported by others of these piston-rmls, a plurality of operating tables cooperating' with the driving-cylinders, the said lablcs being arranged in a circle around the central column, a we-rlging member mounted on the lilS rai ers central column, notches provided in the rotating support and in which the wedging member is engaged under the action oi? air pressure and means for releasing the wedging members from said notches.

2. Ina molding machine, the combination of acentral column, a supporting head rotatably carried on saidcolumn, a plurality or ramming and leveling devices carried by saidhead, and pneumatically operated centering means carried by the column and coacting with the head foraccurately positioning and holding the same in different rotative positions. 7

3. In a molding machine, the combination of a central column, a supporting head ro tat-ably carried on said column, a plurality of ramming and leveling devices carried by said head, pneumatically operated centering means carried by the column and co-acting with the head for accurately positioning and holding the same in different rotative positions, and manually controlled means for controlling the activity of said centering means. i

4. In a molding machine', the combination of a central column, a supporting head -rotatively carriedon said column, a plurality of ramming and leveling devices carried by said head, centering means carried by the column and co-acting with the head for accurately positioning and holding the same in different rotative positions, a cylinder carried by said column, a piston connected to said centering means and adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder, a slide valve permitting when in one position, the passage of a compressed fluid to said cylinder, and when in another position the passage of the fluid from the cylinder to the air, and manually operated means for controlling said slide valve.

5. In a molding machine, the combination oil. a central column, a supporting head rotatably carried on said column, a plurality of ramming and leveling devices carried by said head, centering means carried by the column and coacting with the head for accurately positioning and holding the same in dilferentrotative positions, a cylinder carried by said column, a piston connected to said centering means and adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder, a slide valve permitting when in one position the passage of a compressed fluid to said cylinder, and when in anotherposition the passage of the fluid from the cylinder to the air, and manually operated means for operating said valve in one direction, and automatic means for operating said valve in an opposite direction when the manually operated means is released.

6. In a molding machine, in combination a plurality of driving cylinders, a central column about which the said cylinders are adapted to rotate, a piston in each cylinder,

means for controlling the stroke oi? each piston, a rod for each piston, ramming-members supported by certain oi thes piston rods, levelling members supported by others i of these piston-rods, a plurality or operating tables cooperating with. the driving cylinders and means whereby the ramming members and levelling members can be automatically adjusted in exact position above the operat ing table with which they have to cooperate.

7. In a molding machine, the combination of a platform, a column extending upwardly therefrom, flasks and patterns arranged around the column, a head carried by said column and rotatable horizontally around the same into positions over the flasks and patterns, and ramming and leveling devices carried by the heads for operating upon sand in the flasks in the preparation of moulds.

8. I11 a molding machine, the combination of a platform, a column extending upwardly therefrom, flasks and patterns arranged around the column, a head carried by said column and rotatable horizontally around thesame into positions over the flasks and patterns, and power operated ramming and leveling devices carried by the heads for operating upon sand in the flasks in the preparation of moulds.

9. In a molding machine, the combination 01' a platform, a column extending upwardly therefrom, flasks and patterns arranged. around the column, a head carried by said column and rotatable horizontally around the same into positions over the flasks and patterns, pneumatically operated ramming and leveling devices carried by the heads and co-operating with the flasks and patterns in the preparation oi? moulds, means on each head for controlling the activity of the ramming or leveling device thereon, means also on each head for adjustably controlling the stroke oi. each device imlepemlently oi the others.

10. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a column extending up" wardly therefrom, a flask on said. support, means including an eccentric cam for shifting a pattern into and out of the bottom of the flask, and ramming and leveling devices carried by the column and shittable into positions for co-operating with the flask and pattern in the preparation of a mould.

11. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a flask and pattern ar ranged on said support, a ramming and levcling device carried by the support and adapted to be positioned above the flask, power means for operating the device to ram and level sand in the flask, and means for varying the stroke of the device.

12. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a flask and pattern arranged on said support, a ramming and leveling device carried by the support and adapted to be positioned above the flask, pneumatic means for lifting the device, latching means for holding the device in lifted position, operating means for simultaneously rendering said latching means and said pneumatic means ineiiective so as to permit the device to all and operate upon sand in the flask.

13. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a flask and pattern arranged on said support, a ramming and levcling device carried by the support and adapted to be positioned above the flask, pneumatic means for lifting the device, means for adjustably limiting the extent of the lifting movement, latching means for holding the device in lifted position, operating means for simultaneously rendering said latching means and said pneumatic means ineffective so as to permit the device to fall and operate upon sand in the flask, means for adjustably limiting the extent of the lifting movement.

14. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a flask and pattern arranged on said support, a plurality of tools carried. by the support for operating upon sand in said flask, and shittable to positions over said flask, means for accurately locating the tools above the flask and holding the same against displacement out of position, said means comprising a notched member movable with the tools and a wedge carried by the support and adapted to enter the notches of the member to locate the tools.

15. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a flask and pattern arranged on said support, a plurality of tools carried by the support for operating upon sand in said flask, and shittable to positions over said l'laslc, means to? accurately locating the tools above the Hush and holding the same against displacement out of position, said means comprising a llotvlnul men!- ber movable with the tools and a wedge carried by the support, and nmnually controlled means :tor shitting the wedge into and out ot the notches to locate the tools or release them.

16. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a flask and pattern arranged on said support, a plurality oi tools carried by the support for operating upon sand in said flask, and shittable to positions over said flask, means for accurately locating the tools above the flask and holding' the same against displacement out of position, said means comprising a notched member movable with the tools, a wedge carried by the support, and pnenmatically operated means for shifting the wedge into and out of the notches to locate the tools or release them.

17. In a molding machine, the combination of a support, a flask and pattern (2H- ried by the support, ran'lmin sr and leveling means carried by the support above the H wk. power operated means including a piston for lifting the other said memea stop be limiting' the lifting movement. means including a threaded member and follower for shifting the stop to vary the stroke, and means for releasing the piston to permit the 'amming and leveling means to tail and. act upon sand in the flask.

In testimony whereof I have ailixed. my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NICOLA 8 ll A Pl NZ.

Witnesses Jacques Bonn, T. BALnoL. 

